A conceptual rendering of the planned renovations for App State’s Wey Hall. Note, this image is for discussion purposes only and does not reflect the finalized renovation design. Click on the image for a full view. Graphic courtesy of LS3P Associates
Last updated April 12, 2024
Wey Hall was closed briefly due to safety concerns related to core drilling activities during construction work that took place over Spring Break in March 2024.
Why was Wey Hall closed and for how long was it closed?
Classes taking place in Wey Hall were canceled on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 20, and the building re-opened on Monday, March 25. This action was taken in response to a report on March 20 from a faculty member regarding safety concerns and damage in his office, and a separate complaint from a student on the same day regarding cracked ceiling tiles in a classroom.
It was determined that during Spring Break, while contractors were drilling, the contractor failed to follow approved university safety protocols and concrete debris fell into the ceiling tiles.
Did any concrete fall into a classroom?
No. The concrete debris in the faculty member’s office was discovered upon returning from Spring Break, and no concrete debris fell into a classroom at any time.
What accommodations are being made for students to account for the building’s temporary closure?
For students who temporarily lost access to studio space, the Dean has encouraged faculty to offer flexibility in deadlines, just as they would in the event of weather delays.
What safety measures were taken before re-opening the building?
- Core drilling and other major infrastructure construction have been halted in all areas adjacent to occupied spaces in the building until after the end of the semester.
- Regular site reviews and safety inspections will continue through the end of the semester. These will take place, at a minimum, once each week.
- All concrete debris has been removed from the ceilings, and additional inspections and safety meetings will continue throughout the remainder of the week.
- The contractor also took appropriate personnel actions to address the problem that happened over Spring Break. The subcontractor responsible for deviating from the established safety plan was removed from the project
- Several independent safety inspections were implemented.
What inspections have been done of Wey and East Halls?
There have been several inspections. App State’s Director of Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management, Jason Marshburn, is the designated staff member responsible for this oversight. His line of reporting is outside of that of the facilities team, and his role is to coordinate independent, internal and external safety inspections.
The university has the ability to request a consultative visit from a facility inspector to ensure building safety for its occupants. During these visits, a safety inspector or state regulatory representative walks through the building with members of our facilities team, our safety and emergency management team and/or the contractors responsible for the construction in the building. If there are recommendations from the inspector for the facility, they are communicated at that time. This may be followed up with a report, such as the from the state fire marshal’s inspection, which took place on April 1, 2024.
For any complaints to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the agency will respond directly to the complainant. However, you may search the OSHA database to locate OSHA enforcement inspections by establishment name.
Below is a list of key, recent inspections in Wey and East Halls:
Wey Hall:
- Ongoing since March 25:
Daily walkthroughs by the leadership of Muter Construction, the general contractor for the Wey Hall construction project, and App State Planning, Design & Construction teams;
Weekly inspections by App State Planning, Design & Construction;
Bi-weekly (every two weeks) inspections by an independent safety consultant commissioned by Muter Construction. - April 1, 2024: North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal, inspection on request of the State. This inspection also included the State Construction Office, App State Planning, Design & Construction and Safety & Emergency Management teams.
No recommendations (fire marshal’s report attached).
- March 26, 2024: North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal, previously scheduled Annual Inspection of the Boone Campus, included Wey Hall.
Items noted during walkthrough: Instruct building occupants to maintain clear egress in classrooms and internal hallways. Report expected Summer 2024.
- March 26, 2024: Independent safety consultant inspection commissioned by Muter Construction. App State Planning, Design & Construction present for the walkthrough.
Recommendations were related to construction site egress, and diligence about exterior building vehicle and foot traffic.
- March 25, 2024: On-site review of all safety plans and procedures conducted by App State Planning, Design & Construction and Muter Construction.
No recommendations.
- March 22, 2024: App State Planning, Design & Construction and Muter Construction, conducted continued monitoring and walkthroughs to ensure worker compliance with all changes and revised safety plans prior to reopening Wey Hall.
Recommendations: Continued, weekly inspections upon opening the building.
- March 21, 2024: Follow up safety inspections conducted by App State Safety & Emergency Management team to ensure all recommended actions had been implemented.
No additional recommendations. - March 21, 2024: App State Safety & Emergency Management conducted building walkthrough with App State Planning, Design & Construction and Muter Construction.
Key recommendations: No further core drilling or demolition for remainder of semester; replace damaged ceiling tiles on first floor; continued inspection for concrete debris. - March 20, 2024: App State Safety & Emergency Management team conducted an independent safety inspection of Wey Hall immediately upon receiving reports about safety concerns in Wey Hall.
Recommendations: Close the building and review contractor safety plans, conduct safety inspections after contractor removal of small debris and dust from core drilling that took place March 11-15. - March 20, 2024: App State Planning, Design & Construction notified the North Carolina State Construction Office of two reports received on March 20, one from a faculty member regarding safety concerns and damage in his office, and a separate complaint from a student on the same day regarding cracking ceiling tiles in Wey Hall classroom 130 on March 18, 2024. App State Planning, Design & Construction provided the North Carolina State Construction Office with a summary of the incidents, as well as the current site safety plans submitted by Muter Construction.
Actions taken: Personnel responsible for failure to adhere to safety plan dismissed by Muter Construction. No additional concrete debris found that was comparable in size or weight to debris reported on March 20. Additional small concrete debris and dust removed from overhead in occupied areas on the first floor of Wey Hall.
Findings: Based on the report from App State Planning, Design & Construction, the North Carolina State Construction Office determined no additional measures were needed.
Additional, key Wey Hall inspections:
- December 6, 2023: North Carolina Occupational Health and Safety Administration, at the request of Muter Construction, reviewed areas of Wey Hall that were under construction. This review did not include areas occupied by students, faculty and staff.
Recommendations were related to construction operations, including construction site egress.
- October 4, 2023: App State Safety & Emergency Management conducted a fire drill to test heat detectors installed September 25, 2023.
Findings: Systems function properly, building evacuation successful with no problems.
- September 25, 2023: App State Safety & Emergency Management oversaw smoke detectors being removed and upgraded with heat detectors.
No issues. - September 9, 2023: The North Carolina Department of Insurance and State Construction Office provided App State Planning, Design & Construction with confirmation that they received the safety plan from Muter Construction, the general contractor for Wey Hall construction, and that occupancy of the building was approved with ongoing construction.
Results: Wey Hall inspection showed compliance with Muter Construction’s safety plan.
East Hall:
- August 25, 2023: An inspection was conducted by App State Safety & Emergency Management as part of the annual building safety inspection program.
Recommendations:Instruct building occupants to keep egress routes clear, remove extension cords and keep fire doors closed.
- March 2023: North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal, Fire and Life Safety Inspection.
Recommendations: Instruct building occupants to keep egress routes clear, remove artwork from fire suppression systems and to use only approved, commercial appliances in the building rather than household items (which, in this case, referenced the use of open heat source hotplates).
Why are students taking classes in a building that is under construction?
While not ideal, it is not unusual to have construction ongoing in an occupied building. The classes that remain in Wey Hall require large and/or heavy equipment, including kilns and welding equipment, which would be extremely difficult to temporarily relocate. The university made the decision to continue these classes in Wey Hall in order to prevent delays in graduation for Art students.
Contractors are required to file safety plans with the university and State Construction Office, and strictly adhere to those plans.
Despite social media reports to the contrary, the welding equipment is not located in an area that creates a safety hazard.
During Wey Hall’s construction, where are art classes being held?
Art classes have been moved to several academic buildings, as well as East Hall, a former residence hall that is home to the Office of Sustainability, and which is also serving as swing space for offices displaced during renovation of Edwin Duncan Hall, including the Environmental, Health & Safety and Emergency Management Office and Administrative Offices for the College of Fine & Applied Arts, including those of the Dean and Associate Deans.
Despite social media reports to the contrary, East Hall has heat and a fully functional and safe water supply, and has never been condemned. Like many of our older buildings, East Hall does not have central air.
If I have a safety concern, how can I let the university know?
Please report university-related safety concerns at the website appsafety.appstate.edu.
What work is being done on the second and third floors of Wey Hall?
- Demolition and drilling on the second floor has been suspended until the end of this semester, but other construction work continues, therefore you may hear some hand-drilling (not core drilling).
- Continued work on the third floor is progressing with the rebuilding phase of the renovation.
- Work on the mechanical, electrical, HVAC and plumbing will continue in order to stay on schedule. HVAC and water will remain operational.
When will the building renovation be completed?
Wey Hall will be closed completely in May 2024. Construction will be completed by Summer 2025, and it will be open in time for classes to begin in Fall 2025.
When will people be moved out of the building for the final construction phase?
After the end of the semester in May.
Where will Art classes be held in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025?
Art classes will continue to be held in other academic buildings across campus.
Studio Art classes taught in Wey Hall in Spring 2024 will be held in the Edwin Duncan Octagon, Katherine Harper Hall, the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts and the Holmes Convocation Center. A Kiln pad will also be temporarily located outside Wey Hall. Faculty and staff teaching in Wey Hall have been updated, and a meeting is forthcoming with the full Art Department faculty. Detailed updates will also be shared with students.
Why is there scaffolding outside the building?
The scaffolding is necessary to protect the workers and students, faculty and staff during the renovation process.
Have walls fallen down?
No. Walls on the second and third floor have been removed as part of the renovation process.
Can anything be done about the construction noise?
The contractors have been asked to limit noise during class hours to the greatest extent possible. If noise continues to be a problem during classes, please report this to your department chair, who can document the time and location, and provide that information to the university project manager for this job.
Students who are getting ready to graduate will not benefit from the renovation.
We understand this, and we’re sorry. This building is nearly 50 years old and has never been renovated. The state legislature allocated $19 million dollars to renovate the building. This is something we are very happy about and grateful for! The building obviously needed major renovations and repairs, and now that we have the funding, we are making that happen.
Are other buildings under construction?
Yes. There are 34 projects underway, totaling more than $327 million. You can see the projects underway at appstate.edu/future.
How can we get building updates?
Regular updates will be posted on the Wey Hall construction updates page of App State’s Future website.
Is there asbestos in Wey Hall?
No. A licensed contractor performed full abatement process in summer 2024, when the building was unoccupied.
How can I request ADA accommodations?
East and Wey Halls are older buildings, built before the ADA guidelines were implemented. Those needing accommodations should reach out to Office of Disability Resources for assistance.
For students who lost work hours while the building was temporarily closed, are any accommodations being made?
Just as with any delay or change in operating hours, work hours sometimes are reduced. Students may ask their supervisors if they can make up hours at other times in the semester.
Major current projects:
Major completed projects:
- Dining Facilities Renovations — Central Dining Hall and Trivette Hall
- University Bookstore Renovation
- Residence Halls
- Child Development Center Expansion
- Kidd Brewer Stadium — North End Zone
- Career Development Center relocation
- Sanford Hall Renovation
- Blue Ridge Way
- NPHC Plots and Garden
- Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences
- Founders Plaza
An aerial view of areas receiving millennial campus designation at Appalachian State University. Video by Marie Freeman